Lila21

I am a DIE HARD coffee drinker, and I was able to quit drinking coffee about 2 weeks before surgery. At about 3 months, I started drinking it again with no problem. I think you will be just fine (I was terrified of quitting coffee, too!)

I agree with the others. Those numbers seem far off from what my doc recommends. I am supposed to be eating form 600-900 C. and 40g of carbs or less. I'd say if you feel fine, keep doing what you've been doing.

Wow, you are going to be slim in no time!!! Looking great! Congratulations!

IRENE!!!! You have the teeniest, tiniest waist!!!! So, incredibly cute! Congratulations! Sixes.... I DIE!!!!

That's such great news!!!!! Thank you for sharing, and can't wait til little Sprout comes out to play!!! Congrats, Tiffykins! I'm so glad everything is going so well!

Thanks so much guys! Your encouragement has really helped! As much as I hate to admit it, his words were really haunting! However, I know I can do this, and I know I can prove him wrong. As you say, I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing!

Aw, thank you, Irene! You are always so wonderfully positive! It just really blows my mind that my doctor would say this to me!!! I mean, yes, I understand it gets harder and the weight loss slow down... but he should have counseled me on what I could do to mitigate the slowing down, or keep up my weight loss... NOT told me that I can only lose 20 more lbs.

So, I went to my doctor today for my 6 month checkup. I've lost 85 lbs, pretty good, right? Not according to him... According to my doctor, because I've lost this slowly, I can only expect to lose another 20 lbs in the next 6 months. I just looked at him, shook my head and said "You are wrong." But, I'm so offended. I know he has experience with this surgery and post-surgery experience, but how can he possibly say this to me? I lost 14 lbs this month and 16 the month before. That's 30 lbs in 2 months. How can he suggest that I'm only going to lose another 20 lbs in SIX more months? Frankly, I just think that's incredibly negative, and I think it's irresponsible to tell your patients that you are predicting a negative outcome for them. I have lost 140 lbs on my own WITHOUT the sleeve, so I can damn well do it WITH the sleeve. I know that I can do this, but what about other patients who are less sure of themselves? If I didn't already know I could this, I would have gone home today totally downtrodden and miserable. And being that upset about it might have actually made his prediction come true. However, I know from past experience that I can do this, so it just makes me really, really angry. Has anyone else had this experience? Seriously, I am shocked and somewhat appalled. I can't wait to get to goal and say "I told you so."

Some good weight loss this week, but still so far to go! If I can get within 10 lbs, I'll be happy :-) SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Lila21..........235......................215.............199...............16

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Lila21..........235......................216.............199...............17

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Lila21..........235......................218.............199...............19

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Lila21..........235......................219.............199...............20

Labor day!

Wow, I'm so excited for you!!! I knew you were alllmooooost there, and I was looking for this! Congratulations, and thank you so much for being a cheerleader for all of us!!! You are so sweet, and you sooooo deserve this!

Wow, I really like how eloquently she put it: equal rights for equal services. It's so true that I have curtailed my flying for fear that this would happen to me, and I do think it's unfair. She had great suggestions, and I hope it opens up a dialog.

Thanks for your feedback, guys! I'm hoping it's more edema and less large bones. Mostly, they look just puffy all the time, so I think it's edema. Also, my left ankle is much more swollen than my right, so I think it's definitely some kind of inflammation. I don't expect to have tiny ankles again, but it would be nice to wear some at least *somewhat* sexy heels! (I know, Rootman, this is probably *not* your concern, but thanks for sharing!).

Oh, thanks, Bilka! I didn't think about the cooling cream. It seems like it's partly fat and partly inflammation, so maybe that would help. Also, you may be right that it's slightly better, and I just don't realize it. I'll try taking a photo to see if I can track any differences. Great ideas! Fingers crossed!

So, as I gained weight, my ankles have gotten to the point that they are swollen all the time. I am really hoping/praying that this will get better when I lose weight. I've lost 78 lbs, and they don't seem to be any better.... is there hope? I want to wear heels and have it look cute!

Another 2 lbs down. Thank you, Sleeve! SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Lila21..........235......................222............199...............23

Another lb down. Thank you, Sleeve! SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Lila21..........235......................224............199...............25

OMG, I'm praying my cankles go away! WAY TO GO!!!

Love this list, Irene! For me, my top three are: 1.) Being able to move more freely and exercise! This one is HUGE! I used to get out of breath just walking! 2.) Being able to buy cute clothes in a store that is NOT Lane Bryant. 3) Feeling like it is possible to get to a healthy weight and maintain it.

10 lbs down... um, 26 to go. Perhaps I set my goal too high, but last time it motivated me to try, so I'll keep going for it! SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Lila21..........235......................225.............199...............26

I modified the chicken pot pie crepe recipe I made the other day to make a sweet crepe. carb chocolate crepes Crepes: 4 eggs 1/2 cup ricotta 4 tablespoons flour Pinch of salt 3 tablespoons milk . In a medium bowl beat the Ricotta with the eggs. Beat in the flour, salt, and milk. Allow to sit for 15 minutes. Heat an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Coat with vegetable cooking spray when hot. Pour in 2 tablespoons of batter and swirl the pan to coat the entire surface in a thin layer. Allow to cook, without turning, until completely done. The top should be no longer shiny and when you touch it it’s not wet. The bottom will be have a very slight golden color. If it’s too dark, lower the heat. (These can be impossible to flip and they don’t need to be, so don’t try if you don’t want to. I do sometimes to get the same color on each side, but they are done when it’s dry on the top.) Gently loosen the edges with a spatula and slide out of the pan onto a plate. Very lightly spray the top with vegetable spray – this way you can stack them on top of each other. Lightly coat the pan with cooking spray before each crepe. Proceed with above directions until batter is gone. Allow the crepes to cool to room temperature and then wrap the plate tightly with plastic wrap. These keep well in the fridge – unfilled – for several days. Filling: Filling (makes filling for 2 crepes) 1/4 cup ricotta cheese (low fat or fat free) 2 heaping teaspoons cocoa powder I packet artificial sugar (splenda or whatever you prefer) Mix the filling ingredients in a microwavable bowl Microwave for 15 seconds or until fairly well-heated Fill the crepe with the filling and enjoy!

Randomly down another lb this morning. I'll take it! SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Lila21..........235......................226.............199...............27